So far the team has been in the listening mode. Unless the team already has a set of ground rules, the facilitator should probably propose and obtain agreement on a set of ground rules before going to work.

TOOL

A set of ground rules is provided below. They can be presented to the group on a overhead transparency, but it is also helpful to have them displayed on flip chart paper and hung on the wall for all to see. The facilitator may ask for discussion of, addition to, and consensus on the ground rules.

Ground Rules

H

ere and now-no "sea (war) stories"

E

xplore the possibilities-suspend disbelief

R

espect the responsibility for the group

O

pennes-spirit of inquiry

E

nergy

S

trategic thinking and listening

P

articipation without side conversations

A

ttack challenges, not each other

C

onfidentiality

T

imeliness

CAUTION

Some groups want to develop their own ground rules and can spend hours (or even days) writing them. Since this is not the purpose of the off-site, it is best to have some ground rules prepared in advance.